LeBron's Legacy Tested Again

Anything short of a NBA championship is a failure for LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Every year Miami's Big 3 are together they are expected to win.  There are no moral victories and no slack from fans or critics.  Even when James got his first ring last year, some found ways to diminish the accomplishment.  "It was a strike shortened season (66 regular season games instead of 82)," was a personal favorite.

James answered every question raised of his game during the Heat's run to the title.  He was clutch.  He put his team on his back.  Not only did he beat the Pacers without the injured Chris Bosh, we forget that Dwyane Wade was on the verge of imploding.

Wade was playing terrible and visibly frustrated.  It was clear his knee was bothering him and at one point had a sideline altercation with head coach Eric Spoelstra.  He left the team between games 3 and 4 to get his head straightened out.  The Heat were in trouble.

Down 2-1 to the Pacers and playing in Indiana, James played one of the best games in playoff history.  Trailing by 10 in the 3rd quarter James continued to look for Wade to get him some easy buckets and break him out of his funk.  It worked.

Wade scored 22 in the 2nd half as he and James scored 38 consecutive points for the Heat.  James finished with 40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals while icing the game with clutch free throws.  It was the turning point for James.

But that's in the past.  One championship would never do for James and the Heat.  It's a new challenge and new series against the Indiana Pacers. Throughout the regular season the Pacers were considered the best threat to beat the Heat in the Eastern Conference.  They are above average at every position and especially strong in the post.  They were the top rated defensive team this season and excellent rebounders.  Rising star Paul George is one of the very few players that matches up with James defensively.

Size differences between the two teams highlights two very different styles.  The Heat play without a big man opting to spread the floor with Bosh at center.  This strategy pulls the opposing center away

from the basket and opens up the driving lanes for James and Wade.  The Bosh/Roy Hibbert matchup will be pivotal.  The best chance the Pacers have to win is to dominate rebounding.

The Pacers are capable of winning the series.  It will be up to James to keep them from doing that.  Even with Wade ailing again, there are no excuses.  Last year began what needs to be three straight titles if James wants to fulfill his Chosen One moniker.  No other player on the Heat lives with that scrutiny, though James put that on himself (literally).

But, why wouldn't he?  We want our superstars to strive to be the best, and supreme confidence is what makes transcendent players.  He has the skills to realistically get there someday. But today, he needs to win.

So we can throw away game plans, matchups, and supporting cast.  This series comes down to LeBron's legacy.  Will he, or won't he? The greatest of all time would win this series even with an injured Wade and no inside presence.  Even if it takes 40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

James has cruised through the first two rounds...That's not going to work against the Pacers.  I wouldn't be shocked to see a seven game series.  There will be moments where the Heat are backed into a corner.  There will be questions from critics after a bad game.  In the end, James and the Heat should march on, leaving an intense rivalry in their wake.

I believe, like Michael Jordan, we are watching someone truly special and destined for greatness.  Time will tell, and it's time to prove it.